He was born on April 9, 1949, in Carbondale, the son of Kenneth Barnett Powless and Emily Mary (Cygnar) Powless.

He was united in marriage to Susan Elizabeth Reed on Saturday, June 13, 1970, in Marion, and together they shared over 44 years of marriage.

Jim obtained a Bachelor of Science in finance in 1971 and a Juris Doctor in 1974, from the University of Illinois in Champaign. He practiced law in Marion and owned William County Title and Abstract.

He was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church of Marion.

Jim enjoyed fishing, reading, cooking, tinkering, teaching and listening to folk music. He was selfless, performing acts of service for people without hesitation. He enjoyed volunteering for the Marion Regional Humane Society and substitute teaching for Marion and Carterville school districts. He was a “Dad” to many of his daughters’ friends and invested many years coaching summer softball league. His patience, laugh, humor, and love will be celebrated and remembered.

Born October 28, 1938, in Carbondale, Ill., he was the son of Irvan and Lucille (Lynn) Smith.

Mr. Smith graduated from East Alton Wood River High School in 1956. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1962 with a law degree and an accounting degree. After college he worked for Arthur Anderson & Company in Chicago. He then entered Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He served on the Navy legal department from 1962-1966 having spent time on board the USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63. In 1966 he joined the law firm of Hoagland, Maucker, Bernard & Almeter which later became Hoagland, Fitzgerald, Smith, & Pranitis. From 1992-2011 he was the Assistant State's Attorney. Mr. Smith intended to retire in 2015 after 51 years of service. He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, The Madison County Bar Association, and the Wood River Township Jaycees. On October 18, 1974 he married the former JoAnn Patterson in Edwardsville. She survives.

Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP welcomes Mandi K. Ferguson to its Edwardsville office. Ferguson focuses her practice on the defense of product manufacturers and premises owners in Asbestos Litigation, Product Liability and Toxic Tort Litigation. She is admitted to practice in both Illinois and Missouri.

Ms. Ferguson serves as Vice Chair of the Tort Law Committee for the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel and Young Lawyers Liaison to the DRI Law Practice Management Committee. She received her J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2007 and her B.A. from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 2001.

Former Chief judge Ann Callis today announced she will be joining the Goldenberg, Heller, Antognoli and Rowland law firm in Edwardsville.

Callis brings over 20 years of experience to the firm with her start in the community in 1990 when she served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in both Madison and St. Clair Counties. Callis was elected Circuit Judge in 2000, and became the first female Circuit Judge and the first female Chief Judge in Madison County. In 2009, Callis created the first Veterans’ Court in Illinois, which sought to reintegrate veterans into society. Years later, the Madison County Veterans' Treatment Court has become a model for similar programs around the nation.

With deep ties to the community and a commitment to the future of Madison County, Callis will concentrate on the firm’s Commercial Law Division to further develop business growth in the area.

Founding partner, Mark Goldenberg stated, “We are pleased to announce that Ann Callis will be joining our firm. Ann’s impressive legal career and dedication to improving the lives of individuals in Illinois closely aligns with our firm’s core values. Ann’s professional commitment and passion will be a valuable asset to our team as we continue serving local and regional clients.”

"I’m thrilled to join the prestigious law firm of Goldenberg, Heller, Antognoli and Rowland here in Edwardsville,” said Callis. “This opportunity will allow me the chance to focus on a division within the firm to grow business and provide the best possible representation to create powerful and lasting additions in our community.”

Mr. Neely was born Jan. 22, 1923, in Marion, to Ralph and Lanta (Brush) Neely. He was the beloved grandson of the late Honorable Rufus and Emma Neely and the precious nephew of the late Bertha Otey, Horace Neely and John Neely.

Mr. Neely graduated from Marion High School in 1940. Following high school, Mr. Neely worked for the FBI in Washington, D.C., where he met his late wife, Lois LeMay Neely. While in Washington D.C., he took courses at George Washington University and Georgetown University. He graduated from St. Louis University in 1950 and later became the Metro Division Manager for State Farm Insurance Agency. In 1955, he completed his academic studies with a Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri Law School at Kansas City, number one in his class, as well as, a member of the prestigious Order of the Bench and Robe. In 1960, Mr. Neely moved his young family to Marion, where he opened his private practice. Mr. Neely served as the Massac County State’s Attorney from 1969 to 1972. In 1972, he moved his practice to Metropolis, and then to Vienna, in 1993, where he has practiced law as a true servant to all until the present time. Mr. Neely practiced law for no other reason than that he loved the truth. He loved serving others, and he truly gave himself to the needs of anyone and everyone through his wisdom and legal practice.

Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that Thomas B. Cannady, received the majority of votes cast by the circuit judges in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit and is declared to be appointed to the office of associate judge.

Mr. Cannady received his undergraduate degree in 1978 from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and his Juris Doctor in 1984 from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Cannady is currently affiliated with Cannady and AuBuchon in Belleville.

He was born to the late Bruno William and Marguerite (nee Finley) Koeneman on April 24, 1934, at his Grandmother Koeneman's home in Steeleville. He lived in Steeleville until 1947 when the family moved to Chester. Don attended Chester Grade School and graduated from Chester High School in 1952. While attending Chester High School he participated in basketball and tennis, and was the editor of The Summit yearbook.

In 1956 Don graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, and received a commission to the U.S. Air Force JAG Corp as a Second Lieutenant. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Washington University Law School in 1958. While attending Washington University, he participated in the Air Force ROTC, and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity.

On June 30, 1956, Don married Mary Ann Uffelman in Chester. In October of that year, he entered active duty at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base followed by two and one half years at the Azores Air Transport Station in Azores, Portugal.

Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the Fourth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Kevin S. Parker as associate judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit.